Hanger form

ABSTRACT

An inflatable form to be attached to a conventional wire coat hanger that includes two halves which can be joined together by adhesive means to completely encompass the conventional hanger, following which the form can be inflated to provide support for clothing. The device is configured so as to provide support in the neck region of the garment as well as support in the shoulder regions. A modified form of the invention also contemplates filling the interior of the form with foam material, thereby providing the necessary support while eliminating the problem of maintaining an air-tight chamber. Alternatively, the form can be made entirely of foam with the outer surface being created by the smooth skin formed by molding contact with the surface of the mold.

Malmin 1 HANGER FORM 176] inventor: Oscar Malmin, 127 E. Wayne Ave.,

Akron, Ohio 44301 221 Filed: Feb. 9, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 224,890

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 183,409, Sept. 24,

1971, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 223/88 [51 llnt. Cl. A47j 51/097 [58] Field of Search 223/85, 87, 88, 89,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,652,957 9/1953 Wolf 223/92 3,257,049 6/1966 Smith 223/88 3,225,980 12/1965 Wieckmann, 223/88 X 1,740,566 12/1929 Batts 1 1 223/88 2,875,931 3/1959 Monteleone et al.... 223/90 3,531,027 9/1970 Malmin 223/88 3,001,675 9/1961 Aynes et a1. 223/88 2,813,667 11/1957 Gross 223/98 X 1,619,742 3/1927 Mayhew... 223/87 2,622,774 12/1952 Freeman 223/92 Dec. 18, 1973 2,617,565 11 1952 Suydam 223/87 1,470,925 10/1923 Klein et a1. 223/87 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 209,032 5/1960 Austria 223/92 Primary Examiner-George H. Krizmanich Att0rneyFreeman & Taylor 5 7] ABSTRACT An inflatable form to be attached to a conventional wire coat hanger that includes two halves which can be joined together by adhesive means to completely encompass the conventional hanger, following which the form can be inflated to provide support for clothing. The device is configured so as to provide support in the neck region of the garment as well as support in the shoulder regions. A modified form of the invention also contemplates filling the interior of the form with foam material, thereby providing the necessary support while eliminating the problem of maintaining an air-tight chamber. Alternatively, the form can be made entirely of foam with the outer surface being created by the smooth skin formed by molding contact with the surface of the mold.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDBER 18 ms V 3.779.434

22 INVENTOR.

OSCAR MALMIN ATTORNEYS PATENTED 8W5 3,779,434

IN VENTOR.

Fl OSCAR MALMIN ATTORNEYS HANGER ronM RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of Applicants earlier filed,'co-pending application filed Sept. 24, 1971, as Ser. No. 183,409 and entitled Inflatable Hanger Form" and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, in general, to the art of coat hangers and, in particular, relates to an inflatable form or a foam-filled form which'can be secured to a conventional hanger to achieve improved support for the garment hung thereon. I

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Applicant is aware of coat hangers made of various materials with the most common being of relatively thin gauge wire. Applicant is also aware of coat hangers having foam materialthereon'as well as wooden hangers, all of which represent attempts to provide a proper support for a garment hung thereon to avoid distortion, especially when the garment is hanging for long periods of time.

Applicant is also aware of Malmin U.S. Pat. No. 3,53l,027 and Gross U.S. Pat. No. 2,813,667, both of which relate to inflatable devices intended to be used with the conventional hangers. Neither of these, however, disclose a hanger form which completely encloses the entire form of the conventional wire hanger while, at the same time, supporting the neck, back, shoulder, sleeve and front body forms as well as providing means for draping trousers or skirts and retainers for straps as on slips or dresses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been found that by providing an inflatableform comprising two unequal halves which may be joined together to form a complete covering for a conventional hanger, that improved results can be obtained.

It has also been found that this hanger can be constructed .so as to have essentially two unequal halves whichcan be folded about the conventional hanger, following which the peripheries of said halves are sealed together with adhesivetape or an adhesive coating preferably, following which the entire device is inflated.

The two halves are of a configuration so that a builtup area is provided in the neck region by means of the larger half, and still further contoured areas are provided in the shoulder, back and front regions in order to impart an improved support form to the clothes.

It is obvious that the configuration of this device could be of two equal halves, but proper support in the back, neck, and shoulder areas is sacrificed.

It has also been found that similar results can be obtained by lining the interior of the form with a suitable foam material followed by assembly as above described. This achieves the desired support and cushioning effect, but it also eliminates the problem of obtaining and maintaining an air-tight chamber. The same result can also be obtained by making the form entirely of foam with smooth outer surface formed by contact with the mold. I

Accordingly, production of an improved hanger form of the character described becomes the principal object of this invention, with other objects thereof becoming more apparent upon reading of the following brief specification, considered and interpreted in view of the accompanying drawings.

OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. I is an elevational view showing the improved form in place on a conventional hanger.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the improved cushion in place on a hanger.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the improved form before it has been folded and secured to the hanger.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. I showing the improved form in inflated condition.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 showing the valve structure and the neck of the hanger protruding through the top portion of the form.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a still further modified form of the invention.

FIG. S is a plan view similar to FIG. 3 of another form of the invention. I

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing the application of foam to the interior surface of the form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Considering first FIG. ll, it will be noted that a conventional hanger is illustrated, with this hanger generally being triangular in elevation and including a hook Ill and a neck 112 with diverging legs 13,13 sloping away from the neck 12 and being joined at their bottom ends by cross-member 14.

Considering FIGS. I and 2, the inflatable form, generally indicated by the numeral 20, consists of similar halves of impermeable material. In this regard, one half will normally be somewhat larger so that following inflation, as will be subsequently described, greater support will be provided for the back of the garment. Each of these halves has diverging front and rear legs 211,421 which are angularly disposed in approximately the same angular condition as the legs 12, I2 of the hanger 10 itself. A cross piece 22, 22 is also present on both halves. The legs 21, 4211, it will be noted, diverge from enlarged collar areas 235, 23, and a consideration of FIG. ll will show how these areas provide a built-upv area in the collar region upon inflation.

Legs 2ll, 421 and cross piece 22 terminate in end pieces 2 24! which have an enlarged configuration in plan, and again examination of FIG. I clearly shows how this will cause a built-up portion in the shoulder area of the garment again providing better support. Projections 25, 25 are also formed and can be used to retain the shoulder straps of garments such as women's slips.

Again referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that a through aperture 26 is provided at approximately the mid-line where the two halves join. A valve 30 of any conventional design is also employed in this region aslowing this, the two halves would be folded over and secured together as at 22a, 22a and 22b, 22b in FIG. 4. This can be accomplished by coating the edges with adhesive, as indicated at 50, or by means of adhesive tapes 40, 40 as shown in FIG. 3. In this fashion a completely closed internal chamber is provided, and the hanger I is completely enclosed.

Following this, the device may be inflated by means of the valve 30 which is shown schematically only since any one of a number of conventional valves could be utilized.

The modifiedforms of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are generally similar in operation.

Thus, the form 12% has the enlarged neck or collar area 123, the diverging legs 121, 121, and the cross piece 122, together with the enlarged shoulder areas 124, 124. The principal difference in this form of the invention is that rather than being joined at the neck area, the two halves are joined at the shoulder areas, as indicated at 126, 126.

Use of this form of the invention is identical is identical in that the form 120 is folded at 126, 126 and the edges again are sealed together following which the device is inflated.

The form of the invention 220, shown in FIG. 7, discloses again identical halves having the enlarged neck areas 223, 223, the diverging legs 221, 221, and the cross piece 222 with the enlarged shoulder areas 224, 224.

In this form of the' invention, however, the two havles are joined together as at 226.

Operation of this particular form of the invention is similar to that described above with regard to the form shown in FIGS. 1 through 6.

Turning next then to FIGS. 8 and 9 for a still further modified approach to the overall object of the present invention, it is contemplated that in order to avoid difficulties in obtaining a completely air-tight chamber either through the inability to obtain a satisfactory seal by the sealing means described above or by virtue of punctures or ruptures in the form itself during use, this problem can be obviated within the teachings of this invention.

Specifically, the form can be foam-filled with a foam such as styrafoam for example. FIG. 8 discloses a form 320 which has the diverging legs on the two halves 321, 321, a cross member 322, and the shoulder members 324, 325. The securing tapes 340 are provided much as they are in FIG. 3, and it is, of course, understood that this could be secured together by means of the peripheral pressure sensitive adhesive as indicated by the numeral 50 in FIG. 3.

In this form of the invention, however, the valving means is, of course, eliminated, and the interior surface of the material 321a, which goes to make up the body of the form, has a layer 330 of foam which would be lightweight preferably, such as styrafoam, for example. It is understood that this could either be formed as a solid piece of foam, in which event the entire blank 320 would be foam with a smooth outer surface formed by contact with the surface of the mold, or it could be foam with a layer of smooth plastic external material over it as shown in FIG. 9.

Use or operation of this form of the invention is iden- 6 the conventional hanger and sealed about its periphery. Provision of the foam will insure support and cushioning to the garment much as is the case with the other forms of the invention. In this form, however, of course manufacturing tolerances will be less stringent because there is no need to provide a completely air-tight chamber within the form once it has been placed about the hanger. Furthermore, damage, such as punctures, etc., during use, will have no effect on this form of the invention and will not detract from its usability.

It should be understood, of course, that while styrafoam has been mentioned as one possible material, other suitable lightweight foams could be utilized and they can be either firm and hard or soft and flexible.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been set forth in accordance with the dictates of the Patent Statutes, it is understood that modifications can be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable hanger form for use with a coat hanger having a frame of triangular configuration and an upstanding hook, comprising;

A. front and rear interconnected halves of impermeable material each having I. a pair of diverging legs having first and second ends and 2. a cross piece interconnecting their second ends a. whereby said hanger frame may be superimposed on one said half;

B. means for securing the peripheral edges of said legs and said cross pieces of each of said halves together in enveloping relationship to said hanger frame to form an air-tight chamber;

C. means for introducing air into said chamber; and

D. said legs of said rear half having a greater width dimension than said legs of said front half 1. whereby said rear half will form an enlarged back supporting portion upon inflation.

2. The form of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said halves have enlarged areas adjacent the point of juncture of said legs with said cross piece.

3. The form of claim 1 wherein said legs of said halves have their first ends connected to an enlarged neck portion.

4. The form of claim 3 wherein said halves are interconnected adjacent said neck portion.

5. The form of claim ll wherein said halves are interconnected adjacent the point of juncture of said legs with said cross piece.

6. The form of claim 1 wherein said means for securing the peripheries of said halves together include adhesive means.

7. An inflatable hanger form for use with a coat hanger having a frame of triangular configuration and an upstanding hook, comprising;

A. front and rear interconnected halves of impermeable material each having 1. a pair of diverging legs having first and second ends and 2. a cross piece interconnecting their second ends a. whereby said hanger frame may be superimposed on one said half;

B. means for securing the peripheral edges of said legs and said cross pieces of each of said halves together in enveloping relationship to said hanger frame to form a substantially closed chamber;

3,779,434 b C. said chamber being filled with a chemically reacdimension than said legs of said front half tivc fluid which forms a solid mass within said 1. whereby said rear half will form an enlarged chamber adhering to at least one of said halves; and back supporting portion upon inflation. D. said legs of' said rear half having a greater width 

1. An inflatable hanger form for use with a coat hanger having a frame of triangular configuration and an upstanding hook, comprising; A. front and rear interconnected halves of impermeable material each having
 1. a pair of diverging legs having first and second ends and
 2. a cross piece interconnecting their second ends a. whereby said hanger frame may be superimposed on one said half; B. means for securing the peripheral edges of said legs and said cross pieces of each of said halves together in enveloping relationship to said hanger frame to form an air-tight chamber; C. means for introducing air into said chamber; and D. said legs of said rear half having a greater width dimension than said legs of said front half
 1. whereby said rear half will form an enlarged back supporting portion upon inflation.
 2. a cross piece interconnecting their second ends a. whereby said hanger frame may be superimposed on one said half; B. means for securing the peripheral edges of said legs and said cross pieces of each of said halves together in enveloping relationship to said hanger frame to form a substantially closed chamber; C. said chamber being filled with a chemically reactive fluid which forms a solid mass within said chamber adhering to at least one of said halves; and D. said legs of said rear half having a greater width dimension than said legs of said front half
 2. The form of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said halves have enlarged areas adjacent the point of juncture of said legs with said cross piece.
 2. a cross piece interconnecting their second ends a. whereby said hanger frame may be superimposed on one said half; B. means for securing the peripheral edges of said legs and said cross pieces of each of said halves together in enveloping relationship to said hanger frame to form an air-tight chamber; C. means for introducing air into said chamber; and D. said legs of said rear half having a greater width dimension than said legs of said front half
 3. The form of claim 1 wherein said legs of said halves have their first ends connected to an enlarged neck portion.
 4. The form of claim 3 wherein said halves are interconnected adjacent said neck portion.
 5. The form of claim 1 wherein said halves are interconnected adjacent the point of juncture of said legs with said cross piece.
 6. The form of claim 1 wherein said means for securing the peripheries of said halves together include adhesive means.
 7. An inflatable hanger form for use with a coat hanger having a frame of triangular configuration and an upstanding hook, comprising; A. front and rear interconnected halves of impermeable material each having 